It was two, busy weeks before Sherlock found himself needing to return to the familiarity of Molly's Abode.
He got there, craving his chair and her coco and hoping that Molly would be able to get his head straight about this mess Irene was causing him. How could someone so alluring and well suited to him be so difficult to get a handle on? Not that he truly wanted a relationship, but you don't come across a brilliant and beautiful woman who could make your head spin with a single look everyday. Especially when you are Sherlock Holmes. He needed someone to help him gather his thoughts. Someone safe. And that someone was Molly.
He knocked on her faded blue door and when it opened he pushed his way in anxious to speak to her of Irene's convincing charms and fearsome faults. "Molly-" he stopped when his eyes hung on to an unfamiliar 6 ft frame lounging comfortably in HIS chair as if he owned it. A very handsome, very male frame at that.
Molly motioned him in. "Come on in Sherlock! We were just catching up. This is Max and Max, this is Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock meet Max Grayson. Oh well, I guess you have- just now. Anyhow, he and I attended medical school together. Max just moved back to the city and we've just been catching up a bit this afternoon. Sherlock, max have you heard of him? He comes into he lab when he need- things. "
The man in question stood, shook hands. Sherlock studied him quickly. The man was a doctor, an oncologist from an upper middle class family. Enjoyed hands on activities and was recently single after a long, yet failed relationship. It been several months though and he was hoping to try again. With Molly. He seemed almost annoyed that Sherlock had arrived.
More worrying was that Molly clearly felt the same. She wore a new red sweater that gave her the appearance of a blush. Although the blush may have been from the conversation she and her guest were having before his arrival. Early, well received flirtatious overtures. Therefore he decided that he had arrived at a good moment. He sat down on the rickety stool Molly kept by her door, more for her bag than for a person.
Max made a move toward the door. "I should get going, where did the time go? I'm supposed to be meeting Jennings at the bar for a beer. Although I hate to go. This was ... Great to see you Molly. "
"We shouldn't wait so long to do it again." She replied a bit shyly. An almost awkward moment passed between the two, painful for Sherlock especially.
"How about we meet for dinner tonight then? Is that too soon you think?" Max asked eventually. Immediately Molly smiled brightly
nodded.
"Only if we go to Montgomery's for dessert afterwards."
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Max laughed. I'll be back to pick you up at say 7." It was agreed and they both stood awkwardly at the door till Max finally kissed her check and left. Molly shut the door and stood with her eyes closed leaned back against the door grinning like a fool.
"Well now that he's gone I suppose I can have MY chair back. " He said jumping from his awkward coot a settling in swiftly. "And I'll take my usual cup of coco as well."
Molly's eyes popped open and she blushed. Surely she hadn't forgotten that he'd been there? She quickly ducked into the kitchenette and
appeared with his favorite mug. She handed it to him, but didn't settle into the couch herself. She wondered almost dreamily instead toward her bedroom and opened her wardrobe to find what she would wear that evening. Sherlock remained in his chair, pouting and watching her choose what to wear on her date that night. He took a sip from the cup and found that instead of the regular mint coco a luxurious chocolate carmel met his tongue. He nearly spit it out in shock. It wasn't that it was bad, the salty carmel cut the sweetness expertly, but it wasn't what he had expected. Or wanted. But then neither, had he expected to find a man here and her found that he certainly didn't want him there as well.
"Out of mint coco?" He called to Molly who was buried deep in her clothes. God only knew what she was after.
"Oh, no. Max made that for me earlier. I can't believe he remembered it was my favorite after all these years!" She said excitedly.
"So he makes coco in his spare time?" He asked. Trying not to think about how he hadn't known Molly's favorite drink himself. Of course he'd never asked what her favorites were.
"Yes, his parents own a really good café. He can do a bit of everything after growing up and working there. Max bakes scrumptious cakes, can repair appliances and make divine drinks. He even got me a job there in the summers, although all I was really good for was cleaning up after they baked. And eating the delicious things he made me of course. "
He sulked as she sang of Max's many talents. And his past care of her
She shut her door and eventually came out dressed in a dress with long sheer sleeves and a Peter Pan color in a deep plum. It was a few years old but never worn. Modest yet alluring in its innocent cut. She stepped into the hall and called to him."How goes the pursuit of your ideal woman by the way?" Her hands were expertly pulling her long thick hair into a side braid. He hoped she was planning to pull it up into the knot he favored on her, but then remembered she was getting dressed for her date and changed his mind. It wasn't settling well him wearing her hair like that for Max.
Strolling over, Sherlock followed her as she returned to the bath to put the final details on her appearance and stood leaning on the frame, watching curiously as she prepared her self for her dinner date with a subtle touch up to her makeup. Sherlock seemed unable to speak of Irene as he watched Molly flit around.
His mind a bit hazy as it attempted to speak about the woman who when he first met her in person wore nothing but perfume and heels when the petite woman in front of him was applying a subtle polish to her already beautiful appearance. Not that the physical mattered, well much. There was no comparison between the two and it felt wrong to think of Irene's cunning eyes and tempting mouth while watching the fascinating way Molly's opened her own mouth as she lined her eyes. Studying, he watched her apply some sort of gloss over her lips. The effect made her lips far more noticeable, a deeper, richer color and far too damn kissable. When she out the container away, she turned to him. "How do I look?"
He swallowed. She looked lovely. But there was an irritable feeling niggling at him. It had taken her months to get over crush on him. He'd wanted her to move could be such great lab partners and yes, friends. But he could never be what someone like Molly Hooper would need in a domestic interest. And he certainly wasn't what she deserves. Max, howeverp was someone that would deserve her. At the thought, a flicker of jealousy passed over him, but he squashed it quickly. She deserved to be happy after all.
Taking a deep sigh, he responded. "More than adequate I'm sure." Keeping his voice and expression neutral.
Molly laughed, a charming, joyous laugh. Sherlock realized that he had never heard Irene's. Oh the ideal would smile, placidly if the need arose to express amusement, but she was always rigid and reserved in her expressions. It served as a reminder of just how much of a persona was rather than a personality. The tiny woman in front of him was the opposite. Molly was far too expressive to have an enigmatic persona.
"Well I suppose that's your version of okay." She was smiling as she brushed past him on the way out of the bathroom. Without thinking he reached our and held her arm as she passed, causing her to spin back toward him.
"You look well Molly." He said releasing her as swiftly as he'd grabbed her. She stood looking closely at him as he walked into the living area and slipped his coat back on.
"Your leaving? But instill haven't heard your updates!" Molly said, clearly confused.
"Yes, well you have somewhere to be, and I have to do some thinking. "
Neither of them commented that he normally would be doing that there.
"Have a good evening, Molly." And he left.
Turning out on the street and walked a great number of blocks when he heard his phone let out a now familiar moan. He lifted the screen and read.
I saw you on the street today. You didn't see me.- IA
He didn't reply. He never did regardless, but added that to his list of things to consider. Sherlock Holmes walked on
